The Libri Foundation

National Library Card Sign-up Month

Edward and the Pirates, by David McPhail. Ages 4-8.

When the pirates from the latest adventure story he is reading come to life and demand he hand over the book, young Edward refuses. It's checked out from the library on his card! And so the adventure begins, with his parents (dressed as Joan of Arc and Robin Hood) coming to his rescue. All ends happily as Edward realizes the pirates are actually harmless and just want him to read them the story.

Goin' Someplace Special, by Patricia C. McKissack, illus. by Jerry Pinkney. Grades 1-5.

Based on personal experiences, McKissack tells the touching story of Tricia Ann's first solo trip outside of her segregated neighborhood in Nashville during the 1950s. Tricia Ann bravely faces the ever-present Jim Crow signs reminding her that city buses, parks, restaurants, hotels, etc. are all segregated because she is headed to "someplace special"--the integrated public library.

The Library, by Sarah Stewart, illus. by David Small. Grades K-4.

A rhyming tale to warm the heart of any bibliophile. Elizabeth Brown learns to read at an early age and never stops, not even when vacuuming or exercising. Her house overflows with books until she decides the only sensible thing to do is give her house and books to her town for a library. Elizabeth moves in with a friend and continues her reading.

Sophie and Sammy's Library Sleepover, by Judith Caseley. Picture Book.

Sophie loves the library's special storyhour "sleepover," even though they don't really spend the night. She decides to have her own library sleepover at home and teaches her younger brother Sammy how to treat books like friends. At the end of the story, Sophie decides to become a librarian when she grows up and Sammy promises to attend her very first library sleepover.

Grandparents' Day (September 7, 2008)

The Always Prayer Shawl, by Sheldon Oberman, illus. by Ted Lewin. Ages 6-9.

The continuity of tradition across generations is evoked in this gentle story of Adam. When he is forced to flee Old Russia with his family, his grandfather gives him a parting gift--the prayer shawl which his grandfather had given him. As a grandfather in America, Adam later gives the prayer shawl to his own grandson.

Bunny Cakes, by Rosemary Wells. Preschool-Grade 2.

Max and Ruby's Grandma is having a birthday. Ruby decides to bake her an "angel surprise cake with raspberry-fluff icing." Every time she sends her bunny sibling to the store with her grocery list, Max struggles to convey to the grocer the very special ingredient he needs for his own earthworm-and-mud birthday cake.

Caleb's Story, by Patricia MacLachlan. Grades 4-6.

When the father who deserted him as a child arrives one winter's day, Jacob allows him to stay, but he won't forgive him or even talk to him. Caleb, however, reaches out to his grandfather and is determined to reconcile the two men. A fine sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall and Skylark.

The Graduation of Jake Moon, by Barbara Park. Grades 4-6.

This short, compassionate novel about Jake and his grandfather offers insight into the horrors of Alzheimer's disease for both the person afflicted and for those who love him.

The Grandad Tree, by Trish Cooke, illus. by Sharon Wilson. Ages 6-8.

In this quiet celebration of intergenerational relationships, an African-American grandfather enjoys his two grandchildren through the seasons. The passage of the seasons also represents the passage of human life. Although the grandfather dies, children will take comfort knowing his memory will live forever in the hearts of his grandchildren.

Homeplace, by Anne Shelby, illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin. Preschool-Grade 2.

Beginning with "Your great-great-great-great-grandpa built this house," a grandma and her granddaughter trace their family roots and the development of their family home. The illustrations offer additions to the text by providing a multitude of scenes of daily life from 1810 to 1995.

A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories, by Richard Peck. Grades 4-8.

As a reminiscing adult, Joe shares his fond childhood memories of Depression-era summers spent in a small Illinois town with his eccentric, larger-than-life grandmother.

Love as Strong as Ginger, by Lenore Look, illus. by Stephen T. Johnson. Ages 4-7.

Set in Seattle of the 1960s and 1970s, a recent Chinese immigrant works for pennies at the local crab canning factory and dreams of a better life for her beloved granddaughter. Based on the author's memories of her own immigrant grandmother.

Mailing May, by Michael O. Tunnell, illus. by Ted Rand. Grades K-2.

In 1914, five-year-old Charlotte May wants to visit her grandmother. The only way to make the 75-mile journey over the Idaho mountains is by train, but her parents don't have enough money for her fare. They solve the problem by "mailing" May as a package to her grandmother. Since her mother's cousin handles the railroad mail car, little May is well-taken care of and arrives safely at her grandmother's. An engaging story, all the more remarkable because it's true.

The Raft, by Jim LaMarche. Grades 2-5.

Forced to spend the summer in the country with his artist grandmother, a city boy learns to love her river, the surrounding woods, and the abundant wildlife and discovers he, too, has a passion for artistic expression.

Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!, by Cari Best, illus. by Giselle Potter. Grades K-5.

Sara, her family, and their neighbors celebrate Sara's beloved Russian grandmother's birthday with gifts from the heart—-a song, a waltz, a cherished photograph, and from Sara, a promise of English lessons.

Toning the Sweep, by Angela Johnson. Grades 6-12.

This will be the last summer Emily, 14, goes to California to spend the summer with her unconventional grandmother, Ola, who is dying of cancer. Emily captures her grandmother and her friends on video, learning about life, love, and the history of her family, as well as her people.

Well Wished, by Franny Billingsley. Grades 4-6.

Nuria, a lonely orphan who finds a home with her grandfather, befriends a wealthy, crippled girl named Catty. Despite her grandfather's warnings, Nuria makes a wish at a magical well and finds herself trapped in Catty's body. Only she can reverse the magic and untangle the wishes made by Catty, her grandfather, and herself.

Yoko's Paper Cranes, by Rosemary Wells. Preschool-Grade 2.

After Yoko, the kitten, and her parents move to the United States, she writes to her beloved Japanese grandparents every week. In memory of all the treasured times she and her grandmother spent in the garden watching the cranes, Yoko sends her three origami cranes for her birthday and promises that, like the migrating cranes, she, too, will return to her grandmother's garden. A touching intergenerational story that is a visual treat.

National Farm Animals Awareness Week (September 21-27, 2008)

Barnyard Banter, by Denise Fleming. Picture Book.

All the farm animals are where they should be, clucking and mucking, mewing and cooing, except for the missing goose.

Barnyard Prayers, by Laura Godwin, illus. by Brian Selznick. Preschool.

In 18 brief poems, a farmer says goodnight to his animals. However, the dreamy acrylic paintings reveal the farmer is really a young city boy putting his toy farm animals to bed.

Farm Flu, by Teresa Bateman, illus. by Nadine Bernard Westcott. Preschool-Grade 2.

After Mom leaves the farm for the day, all the animals come down with the flu. Her son decides to care for the animals just like his mother would care for him—-with hilarious results. When the now indoor farm animals begin having too much fun being sick, the son again imitates Mom and takes away their TV and other goodies.

This Little Chick, by John Lawrence. Preschool.

An adventurous chick, with the gift of mimicry, chats with the other farm animals and has lots to tell his family at the end of a very busy day. Preschoolers will love the repetitive rhyme and the dynamic art work.

Elephant Appreciation Day (September 22nd)

The Elephant Book: For the Elefriends Campaign, by Ian Redmond. Grades 4 up.

Spectacular color photos and an engaging discussion of the complex social life of elephants make this an excellent choice for both the casual reader and the report writer.

Secrets of Sound: Studying the Calls and Songs of Whales, Elephants, and Birds, by April Pulley Sayre. Grades 4-9.

A fascinating look at the field of bioacoustics and three prominent researchers: Christopher Clark (whales), Katy Payne (elephants), and Bill Evans (birds).

Seven Blind Mice, by Ed Young. Grades K-3.

Seven blind mice each investigate something strange on a separate day of the week. The last mouse, remembering what the others found, concludes what they've found is an elephant. New twist on an old fable.

Autumn Begins (September 22, 2008)

Oliver Finds His Way, by Phyllis Root, illus. by Christopher Denise. Preschool.

Oliver, a young bear, has fun chasing an autumn leaf. When he discovers he is lost in the woods, he bursts into tears. Realizing that crying won't help, the resourceful little bear devises a plan that will help Mama and Papa find him. An empowering tale with a satisfying ending.

Poppleton in Fall, by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Mark Teague. Preschool-Grade 2.

Three easy-to-read stories for beginning readers in which Poppleton feeds a never-ending stream of migrating geese, buys a new fall coat, and goes to the Lions Club Pancake breakfast with his friend Cherry Sue.

Johnny Appleseed's Birthday (September 26, 1774)

Johnny Appleseed, by Reeve Lindbergh, illus. by Kathy Jakobsen. Preschool-Grade 2.

The life story of John Chapman, a kind and gentle man who respected all living things and who is best remembered as "Johnny Appleseed."

Samuel Adams' Birthday (September 26, 1774)

Samuel Adams: The Father of American Independence, by Dennis Brindell Fradin. Grades 5-10.

Long before most of his contemporaries saw the necessity of revolution, Adams worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the eventual confrontation between the colonists and King George III. This carefully researched biography gives Adams his rightful place in history.

About the Booklist

The librarian of each library participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the list reflect the very best of children's literature published within the last three years, as well as a selection of classic favorites. Although the complete booklist is for the sole use of libraries participating in the BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program, the website features an ever-changing selection of books from current and past booklists.

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